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Founded in 1978, the Ontario Black History Society (OBHS), is the organization in Canada that is at the forefront in the celebration of Black history and heritage with a demonstrated record in the study, preservation and promotion of Black history in Ontario.
 
The OBHS is also the only Ontario Provincial Heritage Organization of the Ministry of Culture devoted to Black history and heritage.

We are the organization responsible for initiating the formal celebration of February Black History Month at all levels of government in Canada due to our yearlong efforts to extend this celebration. (i.e. The first formal declaration of February as Black History Month with the City of Toronto in 1979; and with the Province of Ontario in 1993).

In December 1995, the House of Commons officially recognized February as Black History Month, following a motion introduced by the first black Canadian woman elected to Parliament, the Honourable Jean Augustine.

 
The motion was carried unanimously by the House of Commons.
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Dr. Daniel Hill, Donna Hill, Wilson Brooks, Joan Kazmarski, Lorraine Hubbard and others, co-founded the Ontario Black History Society in 1978.

It became the first major public organization in Canada focused on the history of Blacks in the country. Daniel Hill remained at the helm of the Society for about six years.


Daniel Hill used his social aplomb and contacts to bring the celebration of Black history into the public domain. 


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OBHS Founders

(Photo: Dr. Daniel G. Hill (left), Lorraine Hubbard (second from left) and Attorney General Roy McMurtry (far right)

See more in: Freedom Seeker, the Life and times of Daniel G. Hill

This photograph was taken during a reception that Attorney General Roy McMurtry held for members of the Ontario Black History Society in 1981, three years after Daniel and Donna Hill and four friends founded the organization. Attorney General’s reception for the Ontario Black History Society, February 16, 1981.

The OBHS Story

 In 1980, Toronto Mayor Art Eggleton supported the launch of a major Black history exhibit at the St. Lawrence Market in Toronto. Daniel Hill succeeded in discovering and unveiling a portrait of William Peyton Hubbard, a prominent Toronto Black politician in the early 20th century, who had become all but forgotten in the closing decades of the 20th century.and edit me. It's easy.

PAST BOARD MEMBERS 

 

Initial Board: Daniel G. Hill (Founder), Wilson O. Brooks, Joan Kazmarski, Donna Hill and Lorraine Hubbard

 

PRESIDENTS

Daniel G. Hill - 1978 Founder

Paul Anderson - President - 1986

Rosemary Sadlier - Board member thenPresident - 1989 to 2015

Nikki Clarke - President - 2017

Natasha Henry - President - 2017

Cali Braithwaite-Walton  jointed 2014— Interim President -  2025 to present

 

 

VICE PRESIDENTS

Wilson O. Brooks - Vice President - 1981

Lorraine Hubbard - Vice President - 1986

Paulette Kelly - Vice President - 2017

Kathy Grant - Vice President ( with Paulette ) 2017

James M. Russell - Interim - 2025

Aileen Williams - 1989

Rella Braithwaite (sharing VP role with Paul Anderson for one year)

 

TREASURER

Donna M. Hill - Secretary-Treasurer - 1981, 2009

Dorothy Abbott - Treasurer - 2017

Paul Evans - Treasurer 2017

Sheila Simpson - treasurer - 1992

Leo Gaskins - Treasurer - 1986

Charis A. Newton - MAL - Treasurer 1979/ 1982…1993

Rochelle LeBlanc - 2025

 

 

SECRETARY

Sydney E. Blackwood - Recording Secretary - 1981

Margaret C. Crawford - Recording Secretary

Rochelle Williams - 2000

 

DIRECTORS

Judge George Carter - 2009,  then Honourary Director - 2017

Glace  W. Lawrence - Executive Director - 1986

Linda Carter - 2016 to Present

Raymond Smith

Don Carty

Lyle Kersey

Dr. Michael Lorimer - 2007

Janice Searles

Thelma Allen - 2009

Gregory Birkett - 2012

Jennifer Morgan - 2012

Nathan Redmon - 1997

 

MISC. (positions and time-served unknown)

Anthony Sherwood

Joan Kazmarski - 1981

Vernon Hendrickson - 2017

Sarah Houston - Membership - 2017

Aileen Williams - 1979 ???

Judge Monte Harris - 1979

Bev Wade - 1979

Carl Thorpe - 1979

Walda Hall - 1979

Raymond Smith - 1979

Donald Carty - 1979

Lyle Kersey - 1979

PAST MEMBERS AT LARGE

Arminta Thomas - Member at Large - 1986

Spider Jones - Member at Large - 2017

Rochelle Williams  - Member at Large - 2017

Mawuli Chai - Member at Large - 2017

Sherine Clarke - MAL -1982

Verda B. Cook MAL - 1982

Lyle L. Kersey - MAL - 1982

Robert J. Longworth - MAL - 1982

Ouida Vaughan - MAL - 1982

OBHS TEAM

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The Ontario Black History Society is run by a volunteer board of directors and a small staff.

At left: L-R:  James Russell, Linda Carter,

Richelle LeBlanc, and Cali Braitwaite-Walton.

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Cali Braithwaite-Walton 

Interim President

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James Russell

Vice President

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Richelle LeBlanc 

Treasurer

James’ background is in corporate communications and journalism. This is his second term on this board and he enthusiastically supports OBHS's goals and mission.

His efforts to restore dignity to the Negro Burial Ground in Niagara-on-the-Lake have received extensive media coverage.

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Linda Carter 

Director

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David Peart 

Manager 

During my studies of Political Science at York University, OBHS helped me with my research and studies. I have been a supporter ever since. 

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Pamella  Houston

Community Coordinator

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Ontario Black  
History Society

Contact the
Ontario Black History Society

10 Adelaide Street East, Suite 402
Toronto, ON M5C 1J3
Canada

Phone: 416-867-9420

admin@blackhistorysociety.ca ​​​

Office hours are by appointment only

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©2026 Ontario Black History Society. 

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